It may have Lucas' blessing, but a Star Wars product isn't a true Star Wars product until the fans accept it into their hearts, or their costuming communities. Both the Light and Dark sides of international Star Wars costuming organizations are now allowing applicants to submit outifts based on BioWare's massively-multiplayer online role-playing game.

While it may seem like an insignificant development to the outsider, the fact that The Jedi Assembly and The Dark Empire are both accepting applications from costumers decked out in the latest The Old Republic gear is a huge step in legitimizing the game in the eyes of the more fervent fans. These are groups that are incredibly strict about the costumes they allow to represent their organizations (the Jedi more so than the Dark Side, appropriately enough).

The Jedi Code of The Jedi Assembly has been modified to include: "Star Wars The Old Republic: "Basic customizable characters" - that is, those you would start out with at the beginning of the game, must only be in earth tone colors. No highly customized characters are allowed. Your costume must have a basic Jedi look to it."

So yes, rather strict, but then a Jedi needs not love, adventure, or high-gear. Let's see what the Dark Side has to say.

"The Dark Empire international dark side costume club is pleased to announce that it will accept for full membership within the organization any costume representing the dark side from the new SWTOR game, including non force-users such as Sith Troopers, Imperial Agents, and Bounty Hunters. Costumes may be canon or customized. Custom dark side costuming is a major component of TDE, and we welcome all dark side costumes, canon or custom, that conform to our costuming standards."

In other words, come to the Dark Side, they have cookies and incredibly flexible costuming rules.